NEWS

Mooloolaba; Changes to Musto Winters

28 March 2009Trevor Martin

Planning for the Musto Etchells Australian Winter Championship is well underway with only a few changes from 2008 to the overall event.

Two of the challenges of the Etchells Winters have been to respond to the changing Mooloolaba marine business environment and to exploring ways in which to bring the event closer to the town, its visitors and businesses. As a result, this year's will be held almost entirely out of the Wharf Mooloolaba complex. Boats will be able to be lifted in on Thursday 4th June at the usual place, the Fisherman's Carpark in Parkyn Parade Mooloolaba. Road trailers will be able to be stored in the carpark.

The boats will then be towed around to the Wharf to be berthed outside the popular tourist complex. All the facilities for the event will be located at the Wharf - registration, weigh-in, regatta management and media, showers and toilets.

Competitors will need to bring their own mast-stepping equipment with them.

The parties are on the Wharf Tavern with daily get-togethers at the Tavern which is located within the Wharf Mooloolaba complex. The Tavern promise to turn on a brilliant prize-giving party on the final night !

Ross and Kevin Wilson will be on the water again this year to ensure the on-water race management is delivered at the highest possible level. Ken Moxham will be available on the land for those of us who want to continue the racing in the Jury room ! Rob Kothe of Sail-World.com will be in the role of Media Manager.

We are looking forward to welcoming all Etchells sailors. The 'word' is we should be seeing an entry from Hong Kong and hopefully also from New Zealand. Nothing has been heard from the Japanese team as yet, but we are on the job to encourage them to return for another tilt at the Winters title.